Will Brown seek redemption?

In the 2010-11 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, San Miguel Beer opened the conference with import Ira Brown of Gonzaga University. There were high hopes that Brown, 29, would take the Beermen deep into the playoffs with previous glowing stints in Mexico and Argentina. But things didn’t work out as expected. Brown was jettisoned out of the league after two games, scoring 30 in a 92-87 loss to Air 21 and 18 in a 90-89 win over Meralco. None of the players he went up against or teamed with is still active except for Chris Ross who was then with Meralco. Brown was unceremoniously replaced by David Young and San Miguel never made it out of the elimination gates.

From the PBA, Brown returned to Mexico then settled in Japan where he has played and lived since the 2011-12 season. Brown is now 41 and still trucking. He’s become a naturalized Japanese citizen eligible to play for the national team. Brown’s a rare exception in that in 2012, he suited up for the US in the FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Greece and in 2021, was allowed to play 3x3 for Japan in the Tokyo Olympics.

It’s been over 12 years that Brown last visited Manila to play and tonight, will mark his comeback. There’s still no certainty that Brown will take to the court for the Chiba Jets’ away contest against TNT in Sta. Rosa but EASL officials confirmed he’s on the traveling team. Chiba coach John Patrick will submit his 12-man lineup 24 hours before the start of the game. In Chiba’s previous away outing against the Taipei Fubon Braves, Patrick listed only 10 players and Brown wasn’t one of them.

But from all indications, Brown will be in the roster tonight. Three weeks back, Chiba hosted TNT in Funabashi and trounced the Tropang Giga, 93-75 with Brown delivering 19 points and 12 rebounds. TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa said it’ll be a different story in the rematch.

“Rondae (Hollis-Jefferson) hadn’t practiced and came straight from the Asian Games,” said Lastimosa. “We played without Calvin Oftana who was also fresh from the Asian Games. Now, Rondae is rested and has practiced with us. Quincy (Miller) is our other import and we’re ready to go.” In EASL’s inaugural home-and-away season, each of the eight contending teams play six elimination games up to Feb. 7 before the start of the Final Four so every contest is crucial. The winner takes home a cool $1 million and runner-up, $500,000. Third placer will earn $250,000 so there’s a lot of cash up for grabs.

EASL is going all-out to stage an unforgettable extravaganza in Sta. Rosa. There will be bands, DJs, music all around, hairstylists ready to offer their services for free and even a live carabao outside the arena in a festive atmosphere. As for the contest itself, fans are excited to witness Chiba star guard Yuki Togashi in action. Togashi hit 38 points in the Jets’ 85-82 OT win over Fubon two weeks ago and is averaging 21 points and 33.6 minutes in the Japanese B-League. Chiba’s imports are DJ Stephens and Justyn Mutts. If Brown suits up, the Jets will deploy three imports on the court and that gives Chiba a huge advantage. But Jayson Castro, Oftana, Hollis-Jefferson, Miller, Kelly Williams, Kib Montalbo, Brian Heruela and possibly new hire Jewel Ponferada are out to protect homecourt, no matter what. It should be a humdinger in Sta. Rosa tonight.